Description

Buttery, gooey, and loaded with chocolate and caramel, this Easy Caramelitas recipe is the ultimate dessert bar that hits all the right notes. With a soft oatmeal crust, melty chocolate chips, and rich caramel sauce sandwiched in between, these bars are a decadent treat that’s quick to make and even quicker to disappear.

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Ingredients

Scale

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned oats
¾ cup brown sugar, packed
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¾ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for mixing with caramel)

Optional Add-Ins:

½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Pinch of sea salt for topping

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting later.

Step 2: Make the Oatmeal Crust and Crumble
In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.
Stir in melted butter until the mixture is crumbly and moist.
Press half of the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Step 3: Bake the Base
Bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes while you prep the filling.

Step 4: Layer the Fillings
In a small bowl, mix the caramel sauce with 1 tbsp flour (this helps it thicken as it bakes).
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the partially baked crust.
Drizzle the caramel sauce over the top of the chocolate layer.
If using nuts, sprinkle them over the caramel.
Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the top.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden and Bubbly
Return the pan to the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
Let cool completely before slicing—chilling helps the bars set nicely.

Notes

Use Good-Quality Caramel – A thick sauce holds up best for gooey layering.
Don’t Skip the Parchment – It makes removing and slicing much easier.
Cool Completely – Let them set before cutting to avoid a sticky mess.
Double the Batch – These go fast, and they freeze beautifully.
Customize – Try using dark chocolate chips or adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Cuisine: American